Automatic block-signal mechanism for railways



(No Model.)

J. A. MILLHOLLAND.

AUTOMATIC 'BLOOK SIGNAL MECHANISM FOR RAILWAYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrtcn.

JAMES A. MILLHOLLAND, OF CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK-SIGNAL MECHANISM FOR RAlLWA YS- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,561, dated November 14, 1882.

Application filed June 5,1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES A. MILLHOLLAND, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cumberland, Alleghany county, Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Auto matic Block-Signal Mechanism for Railways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in block-signals adapted to be automaticall y operated by passing trains.

One object of my invention is to insure the setting of a danger signal at the commencement of a block on which the train is about to enter before the restoration to the safety position of the signal at the commencement of the block which the train is just leaving, a further object being to provide simple mechanism whereby the signals are operated.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating one of the features of the invention; Fig. 2, a plan view of the signal-operating mechanism, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of the same.

In the diagram, Fig. 1, a0 and .70 represent two blocks or sections of a railroad-track, and 00 part of a th rd block, y-being the signal controlling the block 00, y the signal controlling the block a and 3 the signal for the block or, the trains moving in the direction of the arrow. Each signal is connected bya system of rods and levers (described hereinafter) to two pedals, a (1,, located immediatelyalongside 'of the track, and adapted to be actuated by one of the wheels of, or by a projection on, a locomotive or car passing over the track, the pedals a being located immediately adjacent to the signals which they operate, but the pedals a occupying the relation shown to their signals and to the pedals athat is to say, the pedal to of the signal y is located just beyond the pedal a of the signal 1, the pedal to of the signal y just beyond the pedal a of the signal 1 and so on. The pedals a a of each signal are so connected to each other and to the signal that the depression of the pedal a causes the setting of the signal to indicate danger, and at the same time effects the elevation of the pedal a, while the depression of the pedal a restores the signal to the position indicating safety, and effects the elevation of the pedal a. Owing to this arrangement, the signal at the commencement of a block which a train is about to enter must be set to indicate danger before the signal at the commencement of the block which the train is just leaving is restored to the position indicating safety. For instance, a train entering the block .r first sets the signal 3 to indicate danger, and then restores to the safety position the signal yat the commencement of the block 00, and so on.

' The mechanism whereby the pedals a a are caused to act npon each other and upon the signals is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which A represents a plate secured to 'the ties at one side of the track, and having a lug, b, to which is pivoted one end of the pedal a, the opposite end of the latter being connected to an arm, d, on one end of a rock-shaft, 0, adapted to bearings f, the opposite end of the shaft having an arm, g, connected by a rod, h, to an arm, *5, on the vertical shaft m, which carries the signal.

In connection with the pedal a, I use a similar arrangement comprising the plate A, 75 pivot-lug b, and rock-shaft c, with arms d and g(. The arms (I and g are set at right angles on the shaft 0, and the arms d and g are similarly set on the shaft 6, the arms g and g being connected by a suitably-supported rod, 11, and the armsd and d being set on their respectiveshafts, so as to act in opposition to each other, whereby the depression of the pedal a will effect the elevation of the pedal a, and vice versa, the movement of either pedal being transmitted through the rod h and arm t' to the signal-shaft.

A semaphore or any other desired form of signal may be used, that shown being merely selected to illustrate one application of the in- 0 vention.

1 claim as my invention 1. The combination of each of a series of block-signals on a railway-line with a pair of connected pedals, a a, adapted to be operated 5 by passing trains, the pedals of one signal occupying the relation described to those of adjoining signals, whereby the signal at the commencement of the block which the train is enteringis set at danger before the restoration to I03 the safety position of the signal at the com- In testimony whereof I have signed myname mencement of the block which the train is to this specification in the presence of two sub 10 leaving, as set forth. scribing Witnesses.

2. The combination of the pedals a a, the rock-shafts e 6, having arms (I d and g g set JAMES MILLHOLLAND' in respect to each other as described, and Witnesses: mechanism for connecting the arms 9 g to- HARRY DRURY,

gether and to the signal as set forth. HARRY SMITH. 

